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Friday, May 29, 2009

Instant Gratification

When I walked by the Dalloyau vitrine/window, temptation called. I ordered the mini Torbion Caramel. Nothing was going to come between me and this hunk of glossy caramel (filled with whipped cream I didn't eat - I hate whipped cream.) The thought never entered my head to buy it and eat it later.Jamais! Can you resist temptation when it calls?

Are you one of those people with self-restraint? Do you think, "I'll come back later if I still want it and get it". Ice cream is an instant gratification food. Ice cream won't wait for you to return. It's an "I want it now" food and thank gawd for that.

Ah, the smell of chocolate. When chocolate beckens, who resists? Some can. Even I, Queen of Instant Gratification, can resist chocolate. If I have a refrigerator full of it after a chocolate show. There's safety in numbers.I can resist macarons if they're wrapped up tight in the freezer. Out of sight - out of mind. Magnolia's cupcakes I waltze by with ease. I'm not big on cake or icing, so personal tastes effect issues of temptation.

51 comments:

Gorgeous - I would never be able to eat 19 boxes of macarons though, I would be hyper for weeks and my dentist would be able to retire early from all the fillings he would have to carry out to patch up the damage. I like the idea very much though. French patisserie is a vertiable art form non?

I don't really plan to eat those 19 boxes of macarons = they are for painting and photographing etc.Frankly I don't think macs have that long of a shelf life.They are more like ice cream-meant to be eaten VERY SOON...like outside the door or perhaps within a day or two later.

I don't think the question is "would you, could you trade a peach for them" but, rather, in the purely literary sense, it is "Do I dare to eat a peach?" (I suggest, with regards to TS Eliot).And I believe you would answer "yes" to that.

Is it just me or has your photography gotten better and better? And just to weigh in on the temptation issue (pun intended...), and I think this is because of the beauty of your blog, I am now one of those people that can honestly say, "If I still want it later, I'll come back and get it". I had a mental shift to appreciating the visual beauty of desserts and food in general. So much so that the visual almost totally does it for me and I don't have to eat the treat itself. I love to buy a cupcake to just look at it. I may take a small bite of it or just eat half, but end up throwing the rest away a few days later when it's stale. I don't really know how it happened, but it's been since seeing your blog every day. But the trade off is that now I must take pictures of desserts and bakery exteriors and cases wherever I go! Three cheers for you and PB! :) Heather

Is it contagious Heather?I feel that way often too...that's why I never need to taste alot of the pastries I shoot. It almost doesn't even occur to me.Then again, show me an ice cream stand across the street and like a shot I'm there.

Luv to read your mental musings....I also can't walk by a bakery or patisserieIt doesn't matter what type of ethnic baked goods or how the exterior storefront looks, I have to venture in and buy something. All while asking lots of questions to satisfy the "cookie monster" in me. Remember Sesame Street - how do you say cookie monster in French?

Oh well, somebody's got to have a passion for sweets.One day soon, I'm buying one of your watercolors - love those too!

Hi carol-the answer is NO I don't show any self-restraint and now I know that it has to do with my brain. A recent study showed that there is a difference in the activated region of brain between people who show self-restraint and those who don't. C'est mon cerveau!

I can almost taste that bite of macaron - slightly crispy, chewy, sweet... mmmmmmmmmmm. I think I would be in trouble if there were patisseries close to where I live that look like your photos! I have travelled a lot and must say the French make the BEST desserts!

I was in Paris three weeks ago and am now having serious withdrawal issues over the sweets. What I wouldn't give for even the smallest box of maracons. The caramel and sea salt ones especially. I'm in serious pain here.

great great photos....they are sinfully gorgeous.As far as temptation....honestly, a wedge of some yummy fromage and if that peach is ripe...well, there goes my last piece of self control...but, as they say..to each her own!

Merisi! your response makes me laugh so much!Funnily enough this post had the same effect on many others...?Most forgot to report on their ability to wait for good things.I seem to inspire immediate gratification..hmmmMaybe a lab could put me to work somehow...

My wife, the charming Eve, is off to Paris on the 14 June, if you had just three days, bear in mind that she has visited maybe eight times, but last time two years ago, where would you suggest visit. I really enjoy my breakfast with you, I am so sad you must return to new york. but thank you for bringing me such wonderful images. xxxxx Richard

Dear CarolI love your paintingsi have done watercolors all my life, but yours are betterI am happy you hate whipped cream and don't like cake, me eitherI go to France from California at least once a year, but usually to the southi feel I have found a friendChocolate rulesThanks for the deliciousnessYvonne

Just dropping a line to let you know that, after years of drooling over your watercolors, I have finally tasted my first macaron! And a real French one at that! It was just as fantastic as I had been hoping.

I will be traveling through France in the next month and I'm hoping to visit some of your favorite places in Paris. :) Thanks for the inspiration!

Not eat it? Not at all? Whatever did you do with it PB?? Did you cruelly toss it in the trash as we all in foreign countries or tropical islands sat by becomming completely dehydrated due to chronic droooooooooling??

OMG! I could just eat my laptop screen! How Wonderfully Delicious! (Not my laptop screen). I have to say, great photos, but shame on you for this torture…it’s not like we can run to our fridge right now and pull out one of 19 boxes for a quick “fix”….ugggghhh. My stomach growls for a macroon .Oh, wait…I’ll be in Paris 11 Jun, Thanks for the 20 lbs I know I will gain thanks to the “cravings” you have provided! Keep up your delicious PBs!

I know of your love of macarons - they are SO pretty! and thought you'd enjoy knowing you can buy little goodies with macarons on them if you wish :) I even found a free needlework chart of macarons yesterday while surfing various blogs.

PARIS in yr Mailbox!

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5 and I'm still at it. Now I live by the Seine on l'Ile Saint-Louis. Do consider subscribing to my Paris letters and maps on Etsy and enjoy a taste of Paris in your mailbox every month to savor with a hot chocolate and croissant. I paint Paris dreams.